Real-time data reporting using radio frequency identification

ABSTRACT

A system for tracking and reporting data using RFID technology includes an article and a radio frequency identification tag attached to the article. The tag has an identifier associating the tag with the article and containing data representative of information about the article. A reader senses the presence of the identification tag and reads the identifier information and the data. An operations computer is in communication with the reader for receiving from the reader, in real time, the identifier information and the data, recording the identifier information and the data, and generating output data regarding the article. At least one workstation remote from the operations computer an in communication with the operations computer is able to access the output data generated by the operations computer.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/358,694, filed 22 Feb. 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is reporting data regarding sales of RFIDtagged merchandise. The merchandise is sold at one or more locations anddata regarding the sales at the locations is available to a remotecomputer user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the entertainment industry, accurate and timely reporting of data iscritical to success. A spike in music sales requires increasedproduction of related CDs, an increase in advertising and marketingexpenditures, and distribution of more CDs to radio stations. Localizedsales spikes are met with the same solutions and, further, inventory ofCDs may be shifted from one location to another to fulfill the localizedinterest in a CD. If the sales increases are inaccurately reported, theadvertising, marketing, and production costs are wasted. The success ofDVDs, movie tickets, and events like concerts depends on accuratereporting.

It currently takes about a week for data gathered from sales at thepoint of sale in a store, box office, or over the Internet to bereported accurately. Gathering and processing the data is a timeconsuming process. To reduce this time, entertainment companies projectsales based on limited returns. These projections are prone to error andunreliable. Projections rely on a small sampling of data points (salesin certain stores), but ignore the entire data set, that is, all salesin all stores in every geographic location. However, the time it takesto gather all the sales data is such that, as a practical matter,heretofore projections were all that companies could rely on.

A need exists for real time reporting and tracking in the retailentertainment and movie-ticket industries. The present inventionsatisfies that need

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its broad aspects, the invention is a system for tracking andreporting data using radio frequency identification (RFID) technologycomprising: an entertainment industry article; a radio frequencyidentification tag attached to the article, the tag having an identifierassociating the tag with the article and containing data representativeof information about the article; a reader that senses the presence ofthe identification tag and reads said identifier information and saiddata; an operations computer in communication with the reader forreceiving in real time from the reader said identifier information andsaid data, recording said identifier information and said data, andgenerating output data regarding the article; and at least oneworkstation remote from the operations computer and in communicationwith the operations computer enabled to access the output data generatedby the operations computer.

The RFID tags can be attached to or embedded in a compact disc, adigital versatile disc, a video cassette recorder tape, a memory stick,a CompactFlash card, a Secure Digital card, a ticket, a smartcard, alaser disc, packaging for a compact disc, packaging for a digitalversatile disc, packaging for a video cassette recorder tape, packagingfor a memory stick, packaging for a CompactFlash card, packaging for aSecure Digital card, packaging for a ticket, packaging for a smartcard,or packaging for a laser disc. The tags are used to track and gatherdata on sales and use of the item tagged. A reader/antenna senses theRFID tag at the counter or checkin/out area, and the sale data (based onthe tag's presence) is transmitted to a database for processing andreporting.

The database and output can be remotely accessed using nearly any typeof modern computer with Internet access. Thus, at the remote location,no specialized equipment need be installed. The core of the systemcomprises an RFID tag, a reader/antenna, an operations computer orserver, and remote workstations connected to the operations server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the invention adaptedfor use in a retail sales environment.

FIG. 2 shows the RFID tag attached to a CD jewel case.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the invention adaptedfor use in ticketed entertainment.

FIG. 4 shows the RFID Smart Card and ticket for use in the ticketedentertainment setting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention adapted for use in theretail entertainment sales environment. In the preferred embodiment, theinvention incorporates radio frequency identification (RFID). Someindustries use RFID systems to track items. Such systems includeEZ-PASS, which tracks vehicles passing through toll stations, smartcardapplications where funds are credited and debited to an electronicpurse, animal tagging and tracking, proximity magnetic keys to gainaccess to locked doors, theft prevention of retail merchandise, andwarehouse inventory tracking.

RFID systems usually employ three components: 1) an antenna or coil, 2)a transceiver (with decoder), and 3) a transponder (also known as an RFtag) electronically programmed with unique information. The antennaemits radio signals to activate the tag and read and/or write data toit, and is the link between the tag and the transceiver. The transceivercontrols the RFID system's data acquisition and communication. Theelectromagnetic field produced by an antenna can be present continuouslywhen multiple tags are expected continually (such as in the EZ-PASSexample), or if a continuous presence is not required, the RF tag canactivate the field when it comes within a certain proximity to theantenna.

Often, the antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder tocomprise a reader or interrogator, which can be configured as either ahandheld or a fixed-mount device. The reader emits radio waves in rangesof anywhere from one inch to 100 feet or more, depending upon its poweroutput and the radio frequency used. When an RFID tag passes withinrange of the emitted radio waves, the tag is activated and emits asignal representative of data stored in the tag. The reader receivesthat signal and decodes the data; and the data are transmitted to a hostcomputer for processing.

The data tracking system of the present invention comprises a point ofsale (POS) 14 such as that typically found in a retail store location15. POS 14 has an RFID antenna/reader 16 arranged to detect and read(and possibly write) data from a transponder in the form of a radiofrequency (RF) tag 10 attached to the article for sale 12. The article12 may be a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a video cassetterecorder tape, a memory stick, a CompactFlash card, a Secure Digitalcard, a ticket, a smartcard, a laser disc and the like.

Multiple readers 16, located at multiple points of sale 14 within aretail store location 15 are connected to a hub 22, by means of whicheach reader 16 is connected to a local computer/server 18. The readers16 transmit the RF tag data to the local server 18 via a wired orwireless network. From the local server 18, the data are transmitted tothe operations computer/server 20 either instantly, at predeterminedintervals, or manually. Information from other locations 15 having oneor more POS 14 is also transmitted to the operations server 20. In thisway, sales data for all stores connected to the operations server 20 aregathered on a near real time basis.

The operations server 20 records, analyzes, and processes the sales data(and perhaps related data) and reports the processed data to systemusers. A person physically at the location of the operations server 20could access the processed sales data (and related output) directly.More common, however, is the situation shown in FIG. 1 in which a useraccesses the sales data and reports from an external workstation 24 thatconnects to the operations server 20 via an Internet, Intranet, or otherconnection.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tag 10 is embeddedinto or attached to a ticket or smart card 42. The ticket or smart cardtag 10 gives its holder access to an event like a concert or movie.

In use at a movie multiplex, for example, the ticket holder walks past asensor located near the door to the theater within the multiplex showingthe movie. The system reads and compares the tagged ticket 40 with themovie playing in the theater. If the two are the same, the ticket holderis admitted to the theater. If the two do not match, an alarm might beactivated to alert theater staff to a problem (for example, a personentering a movie he did not pay for). Further, if a person tried toenter the theater without a ticket, a sensor would sound to again calltheater personnel to investigate.

In this way, the ticket 42 with the RF tag 10 thereon that a personpurchased could be used to enter only the movie selected at the ticketcounter. This would prevent children from attending movies with matureratings and prevent unauthorized entry into movies.

Another advantage of this system is that it would provide the sametracking and reporting capabilities as the tag attached to the CD. As aperson enters the theater, a reader 46 near the door recognizes theticket and transmits the data to a local server 18 that in turntransmits it to a operations server 20. Just like the previous exampleof the CD sales, the operations server 20 is accessible by externalworkstations 24 connected to the operations computer 20 via an Internet,Intranet, or other connection.

A smartcard 43 could also be employed to track movie entry. The card'stag is activated prior to entry into an event or theater and when theuser passes the reader 46, a check is made of the card. If the card ispreauthorized to view the movie, the card would be “debited” one movieor event entrance. In this way, a smart card could be prepurchased andused several times before it would become useless. Alternatively, itcould be “recharged” so that its holder could use the card to gainaccess to other movies and events in the future.

For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a person or machine may affixthe RFID tag 10 to the CD, DVD, or tape case 12. The tag 10 shown isapproximately postage stamp sized. Other shapes and sizes are possibleand may be necessitated based on where the tag 10 is located. Forinstance, digital movies and music can be stored on memory sticks,CompactFlash cards, and Secure Digital Cards. Those storage media aregenerally currently sold as read/write media, but in the futureread-only versions of the media may be available that store songs ormovies. The cases that contain the media could be so small that postagestamp sized RFID tags would block writing or pictures on the case (forexample, a Secure Digital Card is postage stamp sized). For the majorityof media, however, a postage stamp sized RFID tag 10 is adequate.

The RFID tag 10 is inlaid in a thin polymer substrate with an adhesiveapplied on one face of the substrate. The tags 10 generally come in aroll and have a protective surface covering the adhesive face.Application of the tag 10 requires removing the tag from the strip andpressing the tag's adhesive surface to the merchandise. This can be donemanually or by a machine.

Tags 10 can be active or passive. An internal battery powers activetags. Such tags are typically read/write tags (data can be written toand retrieved from the tags). The use of a battery means that a sealedactive transponder has a finite lifetime. However, a suitable cellcoupled to suitable low power circuitry can ensure functionality for aslong as ten or more years, depending upon the operating temperatures,read/write cycles and usage. The trade-off is greater size and greatercost compared with passive tags. In general terms, active transpondersallow greater communication range than can be expected for passivedevices, better noise immunity, and higher data transmission rates whenused to power a higher frequency response mode.

For the read/write active tag, the UPC code information is written intothe tag. When the tag 10 is read by the reader 16, the tag data istransferred to the local server 18 and the reader 16 writes data to theindicating that the tagged good is now “sold.” This read/writeapplication is more expensive than its passive tag read-onlycounterpart.

Passive tags operate without an internal battery source, deriving thepower to operate from the field generated by the reader. Passive tagsare consequently much lighter than active tags, less expensive, andoffer a virtually unlimited operational lifetime. The trade-off is thatthey have shorter read ranges than active tags and require ahigher-powered reader. Passive tags are also constrained in theircapacity to store data and the ability to perform well inelectromagnetically noisy environments. Sensitivity and orientationperformance may also be constrained by the limitation on availablepower. Despite these constraints, passive transponders offer advantagesin terms of cost and longevity. They have an almost indefinite lifetimeand are generally less expensive than active transponders.

The passive read only tags would have a tag serial number associatedwith a specific UPC code in a database at the local or operationsserver. When the tag data is read, the serial number is flagged in theserver so it cannot be entered a second time, the appropriate UPC isidentified, and external reports accessible on the operations server areupdated.

Available types of reader/antenna 16 and 46 differ in complexity,depending upon the type of tags being supported and the functions beingperformed. The reader's function is to provide the means ofcommunicating with the tags and facilitating data transfer. Once thereader 16 reads and receives the signal from a tag 10, algorithms may beapplied to decide whether the signal is a repeat transmission, and thereader may then instruct the transponder to cease transmitting. This isknown as the “Command Response Protocol” and is used to circumvent theproblem of reading multiple tags in a short space of time. This isparticularly helpful in the retail data setting where the goal is tocount the item purchased once only.

Data communication between tags 10 and a readers 16 is by wirelesscommunication. Two methods of communication distinguish RFID systems,one based upon close proximity electromagnetic or inductive coupling andone based upon propagating electromagnetic waves. Coupling is viaantenna structures that form an integral feature in both tags andreaders. While the term antenna is generally considered more appropriatefor propagating systems, it is also loosely applied to inductivesystems.

The reader 16 may be capable of simultaneous identification.Simultaneous identification allows the reader to count multiple tagsimmediately upon the tags entering the range of the reader 16. Thisobviates the need for a cashier to “scan” each item individually. Suchreaders are known.

When a customer purchases a product that has a tag 10 thereon, a cashieror other store employee at the POS 14 insures that the reader 16recognizes each tagged item. When the reader/antenna reads each tag, itmay emit an audible tone so the cashier knows the tagged item has beenrecorded. Grocery store laser UPC readers verify readings similarly: aseach product is scanned, the register emits a tone.

For security purposes; additional readers 16 may also be located nearexits from a store. These readers 16 read the RFID tag 10 and comparethem with the tags recently read at the POS 14. If there is a match(i.e., the tagged item was paid for), no action is taken. If there is nomatch, the system concludes that the tag 10 was not scanned at the POS14 and the item was not paid for, and an alarm would sound, calling thestore's attention to a possible theft. Thus, a passive RFID 10 tag couldbe used both to track merchandise and prevent theft.

Within either the local server 18 or the operations server 20, the datafrom the readers is stored, analyzed, and reported. As contemplatedherein, it is generally assumed that the operations server stores,analyzes and reports the data. The types of output that can be generatedinclude:

-   -   total number of tagged items sold number of tagged items sold by        store    -   number of tagged items sold compared with other geographical        areas, stores, or points of sale    -   number of tagged items sold by artist, producer, company, etc.    -   number of tagged items sold within different timeframes or        compared to other timeframes    -   comparisons between inventories of tagged items versus those        items sold (for purposes of shifting inventory between locations        15)    -   custom ad hoc reports

Output from the operations server could be made available via a webserver (not shown) and updated at some regular interval, or madeavailable at the moment a user requests it. Previously, to get suchreports based on reliable (non-projected) data required at least oneweek's lead time. With the system of the invention, such reports areavailable based on more timely (up to the minute) sales data.

The remote workstation 24 is a computer connected to the operationsserver 20 via, most conveniently, the Internet. However, otherconnection methods may be used. The remote workstation 24 would not needany special hardware, and if the operations server output is madeavailable over the Internet, the workstation 24 should not need anyspecial software beyond a web browser. The output from the operationsserver 20 would be accessible to a person with the correctauthorization, such as a pre-assigned password.

The availability of the data on the operations computer 20 to someonelogging in from a workstation 24 will depend on the user's permission toaccess the data. A senior executive might have access to all of thegenerated reports, while more junior employees might have access to onlycertain of the reports. Similarly, the computer staff in charge of thedatabase might have both access to the reports and an ability tomanipulate the data remotely. A permission hierarchy should be set upbefore any user accesses the data.

The data tracking system described herein provides real or near realtime tracking capabilities for tracking sales in the entertainmentindustry. Unreliable projections are unnecessary, and decision makingexecutives do not have to “guess” at what the sales will be when theymake decisions about advertising, marketing, and inventory management.The executives can make their decisions based on data that reflects upto the minute sales.

1. A data tracking system comprising: a) an entertainment industryarticle; b) a radio frequency identification tag attached to thearticle, the tag having an identifier associating the tag with thearticle and containing data representative of information about thearticle; c) a reader that senses the presence of the identification tagand reads said identifier information and said data; d) an operationscomputer in communication with the reader for receiving in near realtime from the reader said identifier information and said data,recording said identifier information and said data, and generatingoutput data regarding the article; and e) at least one workstationremote from the operations computer and in communication with theoperations computer enabled to access the output data generated by theoperations computer.
 2. The data tracking system of claim 1 wherein thearticle is selected from the group consisting of a compact disc, adigital versatile disc, a video cassette recorder tape, a memory stick,a CompactFlash card, a Secure Digital card, a ticket, a smartcard, alaser disc, packaging for a compact disc, packaging for a digitalversatile disc, packaging for a video cassette recorder tape, packagingfor a memory stick, packaging for a CompactFlash card, packaging for aSecure Digital card, packaging for a ticket, packaging for a smartcard,and packaging for a laser disc.
 3. The data tracking system of claim 1wherein the operations computer and the workstation communicate via theInternet.
 4. The data tracking system of claim 1 wherein the output dataincludes total number of tagged articles sold.
 5. The data trackingsystem of claim 1 wherein the reader is located at a first geographiclocation, the operations computer is located at a second geographiclocation, and the workstation is located at a third geographic location.6. The tracking system of claim 5 wherein a second reader reads the tagidentifier information as the tag passes through a boundary of the firstgeographic location and compares the tag identifier information with thetag identifier information read at the first reader to preventunauthorized removal of the article from the first geographic location.7. The data tracking system of claim 1 wherein the reader, tag, andarticle are located at a first geographic location, and furthercomprising: a) a second entertainment industry article at a secondgeographic location remote from the first geographic location; b) asecond radio frequency identification tag attached to the secondarticle, the second tag having a second identifier associating thesecond tag with the second article and containing data representative ofinformation about the second article; c) a second reader at the secondgeographic location in communication with the operations computer; andd) wherein the operations computer receives from the second reader saidsecond identifier information and said data, records said secondidentifier information and said data, and generates output dataregarding the article and second article.
 8. The data tracking system ofclaim 7 wherein the output data includes number of tagged articles soldby geographic location.
 9. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein thetag is an active tag.
 10. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the tagis a passive tag.
 11. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein theoperations computer is in communication with the reader via theInternet.
 12. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the operationscomputer is in communication with the reader through a local computer.13. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the operations computer is incommunication with the workstation via a web server.